electoral

adjective

elec·​tor·​al i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce electoral (audio)
ˌē-lek-ˈtȯr-əl
1
: of or relating to an elector
the electoral vote
2
: of or relating to election
an electoral system
electorally
i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rə-lē How to pronounce electoral (audio) ˌē-lek-ˈtȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce electoral (audio)
adverb

Examples of electoral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cárdenas played a pivotal role in Mexico's democratization, beginning with his first presidential bid in 1988, which ended in a defeat widely regarded as the result of widespread electoral fraud. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 Cárdenas played a pivotal role in Mexico’s democratization, beginning with his first presidential bid in 1988, which ended in a defeat widely regarded as the result of massive electoral fraud. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 Despite some claims of electoral interference, Israel's Election Committee also says the Knesset elections were conducted lawfully, adding there is no basis for claims of systematic interference with the integrity of the vote. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Netanyahu and Likud had challenged the legitimacy of the Arab parties' electoral gains. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for electoral

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of electoral was in 1675

Phrases Containing electoral

Rhymes for electoral

See All Rhymes for electoral

Browse Nearby Words

elector
electoral
electoral college
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Electoral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electoral. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

electoral

adjective
elec·​tor·​al i-ˈlek-t(ə-)rəl How to pronounce electoral (audio)
: of or relating to an election or electors
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All